June 2025 Newsletter

June 2, 2025

Dear Neighbour,

It’s been a very busy month, both here in the riding and at Queen’s Park. In mid May, our Government introduced a provincial budget, which I believe is going to help protect jobs in Ontario and move our economy forward in this current economic uncertainty.

The Ontario Budget 2025 – A Plan to Protect Ontario can be read here.

Ontario’s finances are in the strongest position they have been in over a decade, reflected by the two credit rating upgrades the province received in 2024. The government’s plan remains prudent and responsible, and Ontario retains a path to balance the budget by 2027-28.

The 2025 Budget moves forward with an ambitious plan to protect Ontario workers, businesses and families by unleashing the economy, getting more shovels in the ground to build infrastructure, and putting money back in people’s pockets while delivering better services the people of Ontario can count on.

There were some very notable local impacts included in the 2025 budget, including:

Provincial Funding for Wasaga Beach – Ontario is investing nearly $38 million to build Destination Wasaga, a premier tourist destination that includes beaches, a revitalized downtown area and important historic sites, in partnership with the Town of Wasaga Beach. These investments will help protect and expand the number of jobs in the local tourism sector and boost economic growth across Simcoe County.

A Big Win for Simcoe-Grey’s Cider Producers – As part of the plan to modernize the alcohol marketplace through the review of taxes, mark-ups and fees on alcoholic beverages, cider will see an approximate 47 percent cut to the LCBO basic mark-up rate. This will bring its rate closer in line with the microbrewer basic mark-up rate to support craft cideries and apple growers, which are very prevalent in Simcoe-Grey.

I hope you enjoy the content in this issue of my newsletter. My office can be reached by email at brian.saunderson@pc.ola.org for any questions, concerns, or feedback.

Best wishes to you and your family!

Brian Saunderson

Member of Provincial Parliament

Simcoe-Grey

Get Ready For Destination Wasaga!

Wasaga Beach is one of the many jewels of Simcoe-Grey. It’s been the backdrop of a lifetime of lasting summertime memories for generations of Ontario families.

I was pleased to welcome Premier Doug Ford back to Simcoe-Grey as he announced nearly $38 million in provincial funding to build Destination Wasaga! As the Premier noted: “Wasaga Beach is a world-class tourist destination, with the longest freshwater beach in the world and an incredible history, including at Nancy Island. We’re helping bring this important part of Ontario’s history back to life and we’re working with the municipality to revitalize the downtown, create jobs and welcome tourists from across Ontario and around the world.”

Joining Premier Ford for the announcement was Minister of Tourism, Culture & Gaming Stan Cho, MPP, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Andrew Dowie, MPP.

Ontario’s investments in support of Destination Wasaga, include:

$25 million to support the redevelopment of Nancy Island Historic Site, along with the proposed transfer of administrative responsibility for the site from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming (MTCG)
Nearly $11 million through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to support the reconstruction of the Wasaga Beach Area roadways project, providing critical infrastructure that will support more than 3,000 new homes and improve access to Wasaga Beach’s tourist areas
$2 million for the Town of Wasaga Beach to support tourism planning work in the redevelopment of its downtown area.

Congratulations to the Town of Wasaga Beach!

Protecting Workers in Simcoe-Grey

We know there is concern, unrest and economic uncertainty as a result of the ongoing tariff talks by US President Trump and his administration. That’s why our government is acting now to protect workers here at home and throughout Ontario.

Our government is expanding its Skills Development Fund by nearly $1 billion over the next three years, for a total of $2.5 billion. This funding will help train and reskill workers in Simcoe-Grey and across the Province, including those directly impacted by layoffs resulting from tariffs and ensure they have the necessary support to find good-paying jobs and help strengthen Ontario’s economy.

Preparing for Emergencies in Essa Township

Our government is taking action to protect communities across the province and improve emergency response capabilities, including an investment in Essa Township. Here in Simcoe-Grey, we certainly know first-hand the damage and destruction that events like severe weather can cause. During the recent ice storm, trees were toppled, and power was lost.

Along with Mayor Sandie Macdonald, Council and Staff, I was pleased to announce that the province is investing more than $46,000 for the Township of Essa to purchase a generator. This will help ensure power can always flow to the Township’s Municipal Office, which also serves as their Emergency Operations Centre. This will better enable staff to share vital information and provide important services to impacted residents.

South Simcoe Business Excellence Awards

Congratulations to the hardworking team at Nottawasaga Futures. I recently joined them for their 25th Annual South Simcoe Business Excellence Awards, which celebrated the very best in small business throughout the region. For a quarter of a century Nottawasaga Futures has supported, promoted and attracted business to South Simcoe County. I was able to present the organization with a celebratory certificate honouring their past 25 years.

2025 Winners from Simcoe-Grey are pictured below:

Agricultural Excellence: Lisle Livestock & Fresh Market of Adjala-Tosorontio (top)
Community Excellence: Vince’s Market of New Tecumseth (middle)
Community Wellness: Side Door Studio of Essa (bottom)

Ontario Investing $155,000 to support Festivals & Events in Simcoe-Grey

I was pleased to announce that the Ontario government is investing $155,000 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support 6 festivals and events in Simcoe-Grey. This is part of a nearly $20-million investment in festivals and events across the province to help organizers expand programming and draw visitors to stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.

The following local events are receiving funding:

$55,000 for the Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival
$20,000 for the Collingwood Music Festival 2025: Timeless Journeys
$20,000 for Collingwood Fashion Week
$20,000 for Creemore Festival of the Arts
$20,000 for Collingwood Pride
$20,000 for 2025 Stonebridge Wasaga Beach Blues

Honouring 20 Years of Leadership

It was my privilege to visit the Royal Canadian Legion, Br. 63 in Collingwood to say thank you and best wishes to Rob Graham who is stepping down after 20 years of dedicated leadership as the Branch President. Through tireless service and strong teamwork, Rob has helped ensure our Veterans are remembered with honour and gratitude.

Take Your MPP to School Day!

It was back to class as I met the students and their teachers at Adjala Central Public School in Loretto. They had great questions regarding provincial politics, Queen’s Park and many were wondering what exactly does an MPP do? I’m certain we just may have our future Premier in one of these classrooms! Special thanks to the Simcoe County District School Board and Trustee Brandy Rafeek for the invitation.

1944 RCEME Creemore Army Cadets – 40th Ceremonial Review

It was an honour to be a member of the Reviewing Party at the 40th Ceremonial Review of the 1944 RCEME Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Creemore. Under the watch of Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Champagne and Commanding Officer Captain Christopher Whatley, the cadets impressed all in attendance.

Great Support For Our Two Local Hospices!

On Sunday May 4, Matthews House Hospice saw record attendance as more than 700 people took part in their 16th Annual Hike for Hospice in Loretto. Almost $300,000 was raised and the event coincided with National Hospice & Palliative Care Week.

On Saturday May 24, Hospice Georgian Triangle held their annual Hike & Bike for Hospice in Collingwood. Participants could choose from routes of 6km or 20km. Congratulations to all the participants and thank you to the many, many volunteers behind this wonderful event!

Blue Mountain Rate Payers AGM

Thank you to the Blue Mountain Rate Payers who invited me to speak at their Annual General Meeting in Clarksburg. I provided updates on:

Provincial Priorities
Stronger Mayor Powers
Municipal Accountability
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Regional Review, and
Bill 2, the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act

Celebrations across Simcoe-Grey!